Rangers add veterans with connection to Banister

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Rockies catcher Michael McKenry chases after a wild pitch in the seventh inning with Alex Rios batting, which allowed Shin-Soo Choo to score, during the Colorado Rockies vs. the Texas Rangers major league baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas on Thursday, May 8, 2014. (Louis DeLuca/Dallas Morning News)

The Texas Rangers on Wednesday added two veteran minor-league free agents who have a history with manager Jeff Banister: catcher Michael McKenry and left-hander Donnie Veal.

McKenry started 91 games with Pittsburgh in 2012-13, when Banister was on the major-league staff as a bench coach. McKenry, 30, spent the last two seasons as a back-up with Colorado.

McKenry is considered a capable receiver but does not throw well. In his major-league career, he has a 17.8 per cent caught stealing rate. That is the third-lowest rate among catchers with at least 200 games started since 2000.

McKenry is a career .239 hitter with a .725 OPS. He hit .315 with a .910 OPS with Colorado in 2014 but declined to .205 with a .731 OPS this season. McKenry missed the final six weeks because of torn meniscus in the left knee.

With McKenry, the Rangers could have two catchers with major-league experience at Triple-A Round Rock.

Chris Gimenez, on a major-league contract, and Bobby Wilson, on a minor-league contract, will compete with McKenry for the role of back-up to starting catcher Robinson Chirinos. The Rangers would have spots at Round Rock for the two catchers who do not win the job. McKenry and Wilson have the right to opt of out their contract.

Veal, 31, and Banister were together in the Pittsburgh organization from 2009-11. Veal throws hard, with a 94-mph fastball, but has had a career-long trouble throwing strikes. In 105 career appearances with Pittsburgh, the Chicago White Sox and Atlanta, he has averaged 9.51 strikeouts and 6.39 walks per nine innings.

Veal made 12 major-league appearances with Atlanta and the White Sox during the last two seasons. He had nine walks with nine strikeouts and 12 runs allowed for 10 1/3 innings.

McKenry will be in the major-league spring training on an invitation basis. Veal will report to the minor-league camp.